Looks like LeBrons not going anywhere in 2010

[Drew22]

If LeBron wants to join a team with potential, he'd join OKC or Atlanta. I really don't think he will though. He'll stay in Cleveland.

[BBTV]

If LeBron wants to join a team with potential, he'd join OKC or Atlanta. I really don't think he will though. He'll stay in Cleveland.

Winning / potential have nothing to do with his decision. It's about market size, media exposure, marketing / endorsements, etc. The New York market is obviously a very desirable place for someone with his goals. There are a couple of other cities that would qualify, but wouldn't be in position to actually make the deal happen.

[LEWJ]

I'm not reading much into this. Do I think he's a sure thing for jumping to New York? No. But I think it's absolutely a two team race between Cleveland and NY... that much is a certainty.

The much bigger story, IMO, is Cleveland's performance against Orlando. If they don't make it to the Finals this year, or win a title either this year or next, then I think it is a very, very real possibility Lebron leaves. His team is not getting any younger and clearly, that team is built to win now. Guys like Big Z, Big Ben, Joe Smith are at the end of the road, Wally World likely isn't going to be around much longer and I just don't see a team of James, Mo Williams, Delonte West, Pavlovic and Verajao leading the Cavs back to a ECF or NBA Finals appearance post-2010. That said, it's not like the Knicks have a lot more to offer in the talent department (barring any other moves... although more moves are clearly going to happen).

China having a minority stake in Cleveland isn't a big deal... his team's performance should (and I think it will) dictate what he does during FA.

If LeBron's reason for leaving a team is performance, then why would he want to go to a team whose performance is worse than his current team's?

On top of that, I would think if they won the Finals he'd be more content to leave.

He's not leaving Cleveland until he wins a chmpionship.

The only way (I think) he'll ever leave is if he feels another team has more potential to win a chmpionship, and I'm pretty sure he's confident in the team he has around him.

He knows Cleveland's pain, and right now his order of business isn't getting a championship, it's getting Cleveland a championship.

[Gothamite]

He knows Cleveland's pain, and right now his order of business isn't getting a championship, it's getting Cleveland a championship.

Wow.

I'm really not sure about that, given his propensity for supporting sports teams from other cities. I doubt that anyone who feels Cleveland's pain would toss over the Browns and Indians with such apparent glee.

What can you offer to support your theory?

[LEWJ]

He knows Cleveland's pain, and right now his order of business isn't getting a championship, it's getting Cleveland a championship.

Wow.

I'm really not sure about that, given his propensity for supporting sports teams from other cities. I doubt that anyone who feels Cleveland's pain would toss over the Browns and Indians with such apparent glee.

What can you offer to support your theory?

Well I'm not gonna say you're totally wrong.

But he was quote saying this a few nights ago;

Wow. I mean, the reaction from the fans and the teammates, the loudest it has ever been in this building was the first time I made the playoffs in my third year and we faced Washington and we ran out on the court on that game, the towels was out and it was unbelievable. I had lost my wind as soon as I ran out on the court. Tonight surpassed that by ten times. I mean, it was unbelievable. I mean, you couldn't -- I mean, you couldn't hear anything but just a roar of those 20,000-plus fans. And they deserve it. They deserve it.

That quote doesn't back up what I said 100%, but just the way he speaks of Cleveland and the fans (not just in this quote, but all the time) leads me to believe that he does in fact want a championship in Cleveland before anywhere else.

Oh, and he did a commercial with a Browns uniform on, I don't see how that would be "tossing-over" the Browns.

EDIT: I found audio from the Dan Patrick show, that kind of backs this up as well.

4:48 and 7:32 are probably the best.

[Jigga]

I just want to see this point made by someone who isn't a Clevelander/Cavs fan(boy).

[crashcarson15]

Well Jigga you're not gonna get your wish but I'm still gonna bite. Sure is NYC bigger than Cleveland? Yes, way bigger. But, what's bigger than NYC? China. LeBron's already a craze and how much bigger is he really gonna get? Oh, and how many people talk about Peyton Manning going somewhere else when his contract is up? Look at how successful he is in such a small market like here in Indy. By marketing LeBron in China (which these guys'll do) it'll put way more cash in his shoes because China is growing, and so is their basketball fanbase and by saturating the market with LeBron stuff he'll make more extra cash than he would in NYC because he's already an international superstar and how much more marketable can you be with him and all the stuff Nike's done with him.

And I forget who said it, but yes China does pretty much own the United States. They make a lot of the stuff we use and a good chunk of our national debt is to them.

Look, I'm not saying LeBron's gonna 100% stay, but this sale improves the chances he stays.

Note: I still have this nightmare that LeBron goes to the Nets. Just sayin'.

[FiddySicks]

I have a few questions.

1) What does New York have to offer Lebron that Cleveland doesn't? The team is absolutely dreadful and is banking their future on the hope that they'll grab a few HUGE stars come the end of Lebron's contract. And I understand that New York is a bigger market than Cleveland, but considering he's the home town hero I can't see Lebron ever having the large contingency of unconditional fans that he has now. If the Knicks struggle in NYC people will jump all over him. Even if his teams underperform in Cleveland, he's definitely gonna be cut a TON more slack. In today's world with the advanced levels of communication and global merchandizing we have I can't see playing in NYC making THAT much of a difference other than in maybe tickets sold.

2) I don't know anything about NBA contracts, but can't Cleveland offer him an enormous extension, well, right now if they wanted to? I know Lebron wants to test the market (Or at least thats the assumption), but if Cleveland can make him an offer he can't refuse NOW, why not at least try?

BTW I'm a Californian, and the Cavs could go to hell for all I care if it wasn't for Lebron.

[TFoA]

Cleveland's already got the upper hand. They can offer him more than any other team. So yeah, Cleveland has the best chance of getting/keeping LeBron. It's just a matter of whether or not LeBron wants to leave.

But yeah, if I was LBJ...I would stay the hell in Cleveland. I don't care what anybody says, playing at the highest level of pro sports for your home team is tops to me.

[FiddySicks]

Ok this may sound a bit crazy, but stay with me here for a second.

If Lebron decides to leave Cleveland for a disorganized, bottom of the barrel franchise, the Knicks aren't the team he should be considering, but there's one that makes perfect sense.

That team is the Los Angeles... Clippers.

The Knicks have had success in the past and super stars such as Patrick "CH"Ewing. The Clippers have NEVER had either of those things. If he goes to the Knicks and turns them around his legend would be right there with EmJay. But could you imagine him taking a team with nearly NO good history and having a ton of success? NYC has a TON of people to draw from, but so does Los Angeles. And look at like this as well. Going to the Clippers could create a Kobe vs Lebron rivalry that could become one of if not the biggest rivalries in pro sports history. Seeing Lebron drill the game winning three in game 7 of the WCF against the Lakers, while playing for a team with such a dreadful history could cement Lebron as the best in the game today, grab a few more titles on top of that and he could be considered the greatest to ever play the game. It'd be one thing for Lebron to go in and revive a struggling franchise, but it'd be another thing entirely for Lebron to come in and single handedly create a dynasty from scratch.

It's a stretch, I know, but interesting nonetheless.

[Saint Zephyr III]

Clipppers wouldn't have that much space though for anyone else. Randolph, Davis, and Kaman will take up $41.6M in 2010; probably closer to $47M due to Griffin's contract. That'd leave them with anywhere from $25-30M, leaving only about $5M+ for any OTHER player. If they were able to trade Randolph though, it would be easier to pull off.

[nyk]

As a Knicks fan, I always said 2 scenarios has to happen for Lebron to want to stay in Cleveland... (1)They had to atleast make it to the NBA Finals within the next 2 year before he becomes a free agent. If he doesnt this year or next, he's comming to New York. (2) People are say why would he want to go to a roster like the Knicks but the same people are forgetting that alot of those players on that roster will now be on the team past 2010. As of right now its looking like just Wilson Chandler and Danilo Galinari will be on the team past 2010. So it all depend on what other big star and role players the Knicks sign outside of LeBron. This will be a completly different team in a year whether LeBron signs or not.

Forget about the Chinese Investors and all the talk of wanting to get Cleveland a ring and the commecials. If Lebron cant see hope with his current roster in Cleveland that he will be close to winning a ring and NY signs another all star and role players he likes, he comming to the Knicks. Yes Cleveland can offer more money but Nike and others will up the ante like they were gonna do for Kobe when he was a free agent considering leaving LA.

[Starchild]

The problem with Lebron signing with the Clipps is that, well... nobody would care if he turned around the Clippers. The Clippers will forever be in second place behind the Lakers. It doesn't matter if they win 10 consecutive championships... they'll never be the Lakers, from a historical point - and I think it's clear that Lebron is a student of the game and is FULLY conscious of the history of particular franchises.

I too agree that the odds are in favor of him staying in Cleveland. However, NY has plenty to offer - it's just a question of whether Lebron WANTS what NY has to offer, versus Cleveland.

Playing in NY, he has the world's biggest stage. True, with that comes intense scrutiny, but the true stars bask in that. Guys like Jordan, Kobe and Reggie Miller all had defining moments at MSG as visitors - imagine what they would've been like had they been wearing the blue/orange. MSG has always been the no.1 arena of choice for NBA stars, and it's the last of the old guard of big name basketball arenas - which Lebron as acknowledged multiple times. On top of it all, look how NY treats its stars who give their all for the team and the city. Derek Jeter is not just a dude who helped bring about a new Yankee dynasty - the man is a god here. Patrick Ewing never even won a damn title, but he's a god. The old timers like Clyde Frazier, Earl the Pearl and Willis Reed are legendary and are revered throughout the city - including fans too young to have even seen them play. That aside, I think the best example is Mark Messier. Here's a guy who ALREADY achieved enormous success in Edmonton. Won cups. Individual accolades. Whatever. He comes to the Rangers (who, for all purposes, are a great stand-in for the Knicks right now... especially with the long title drought) and not only turns the franchise around, but delivers the ever elusive Stanley Cup to NY... and look at his legacy now. The one image you see of Mark Messier more than any other is of him celebrating with the Cup in 1994. He is THE Captain, in the way that Willis Reed is for the Knicks. Lebron COULD be that kind of star.

Winning a championship in Cleveland would be great for the city. Don't get me wrong - he is totally aware of that. But, depending on what is ultimate aspirations are as a player, and considering he's not much of a Cleveland supporter by way of sports teams, bringing a title to Cleveland may not be enough. It's not the sexy choice. It doesn't have the sparkle that bringing a title to NY has. Should the Cavs win a title, it'll be forgotten relatively quickly. A few weeks of celebration, but overall, it won't be as memorable as a title in NY would be. Look what happened to Boston. A decade-plus of irrelevance ENTIRELY erased when KG and Allen roll in and deliver a title. Now, Boston is on top again. The main difference with NY? Look at the crowd. The Knicks have been G-d awful for 10 years now. They've been a joke. Yet the attendance is always solid at worst. People come out and waste their money on this terrible team year after year, because they are personally invested in the team. I think Lebron knows this and that has to be calling to him in some way. I don't know if it's what he wants, but Lebron is entirely aware of what playing in NYC can do for his legacy as a ball player versus what Cleveland can do.

[Gothamite]

I don't know if it's what he wants, but Lebron is entirely aware of what playing in NYC can do for his legacy as a ball player versus what Cleveland can do.

That's an interesting point. Derek Jeter wouldn't have nearly the profile if he was the same player, but wore Kansas City blue. Robin Yount would be an immortal baseball god had his pinstripes been Yankee midnight blue instead of Brewers royal.

Fair? No. But that's the way it is.

But I wouldn't count on seeing him at the Garden, except as a visitor. The Atlantic Yards project survived yet another court challenge and is proceeding - LeBron might well be a Net.

[floydnimrod]

Cleveland's already got the upper hand. They can offer him more than any other team. So yeah, Cleveland has the best chance of getting/keeping LeBron. It's just a matter of whether or not LeBron wants to leave.

But yeah, if I was LBJ...I would stay the hell in Cleveland. I don't care what anybody says, playing at the highest level of pro sports for your home team is tops to me.

Agreed. 100%

In an interview he just did, I remember him talking about seeing the Jordan over Elo shot and how devastated he was, and how he wants to be the one that brings a title to Cleveland.

But if you can win one, why stop there?

[Gothamite]

Okay, Ohioans - I'm curious.

Do you really think that he would turn down a higher offer from the Knicks, Lakers or Brooklyn Nets to stay in Cleveland? Under any circumstances?

[infrared41]

Okay, Ohioans - I'm curious.

Do you really think that he would turn down a higher offer from the Knicks, Lakers or Brooklyn Nets to stay in Cleveland? Under any circumstances?

No. I wouldn't and I live here. The best thing you can say about Cleveland these days is that it isn't Detroit. He's gone. Let the whining begin.

[FiddySicks]

Okay, Ohioans - I'm curious.

Do you really think that he would turn down a higher offer from the Knicks, Lakers or Brooklyn Nets to stay in Cleveland? Under any circumstances?

No. I wouldn't and I live here. The best thing you can say about Cleveland these days is that it isn't Detroit. He's gone. Let the whining begin.

Yeah but unless Cleveland loses their minds and lowballs the hell outta Lebron, I don't think anyone can offer him a larger deal due to NBA rules. Now if you mean bigger endorsement deals then fine (which I still think is a stretch), but the teams themselves simply won't be able to make a higher offer.

[crashcarson15]

Should the Cavs win a title, it'll be forgotten relatively quickly. A few weeks of celebration, but overall, it won't be as memorable as a title in NY would be.

Remind us all when the last NYC team won a championship? 2008(or 2000 if the Giants don't count as an NYC team)

Remind us all when the last Cleveland team won a championship? 1964

If you're telling me Cleveland won't go crazy about finally winning one, you're crazy. These fans are hungry to finally get one, especially for people like my dad. He was born in 1959 and doesn't remember 1964 when the Browns won the NFL Championship. You've got to remember, the Cavs have made the Finals only once, the Browns have never made the Super Bowl albeit coming close for many years against the Broncos, and the Indians have made the World Series twice since '64, a loss in Game 6, becoming the first team in MLB history to enter the ninth inning with a lead in Game 7 and lose. Plus not to mention the Browns just missing the playoffs in 2007, and the Indians collapse to the Red Sox in 2007.

These fans have seen so much heartbreak, for them to stick with their teams is amazing and if/when they finally win one those longtime fans will go nuts.

Oh, and yes the Cavs can offer more than any other team. The NBA has a system where the team that already has the player can offer him a bigger contract AND go over the salary cap to keep their own guys. So hypothetically the Cavs could sign a player like Chris Bosh for example and have 1 million left under the cap and turn around and sign LeBron to a max contract and end up way over the cap but they'd have to sign Bosh first.

[BBTV]

Should the Cavs win a title, it'll be forgotten relatively quickly. A few weeks of celebration, but overall, it won't be as memorable as a title in NY would be.

Remind us all when the last NYC team won a championship? 2008(or 2000 if the Giants don't count as an NYC team)

Remind us all when the last Cleveland team won a championship? 1964

If you're telling me Cleveland won't go crazy about finally winning one, you're crazy. These fans are hungry to finally get one, especially for people like my dad. He was born in 1959 and doesn't remember 1964 when the Browns won the NFL Championship. You've got to remember, the Cavs have made the Finals only once, the Browns have never made the Super Bowl albeit coming close for many years against the Broncos, and the Indians have made the World Series twice since '64, a loss in Game 6, becoming the first team in MLB history to enter the ninth inning with a lead in Game 7 and lose. Plus not to mention the Browns just missing the playoffs in 2007, and the Indians collapse to the Red Sox in 2007.

These fans have seen so much heartbreak, for them to stick with their teams is amazing and if/when they finally win one those longtime fans will go nuts.

Oh, and yes the Cavs can offer more than any other team. The NBA has a system where the team that already has the player can offer him a bigger contract AND go over the salary cap to keep their own guys. So hypothetically the Cavs could sign a player like Chris Bosh for example and have 1 million left under the cap and turn around and sign LeBron to a max contract and end up way over the cap but they'd have to sign Bosh first.

NOne of that is relevant. Even a smaller contract in a big city offers more opportunities than anything that could possibly come out of staying in Cleveland. That's not a knock against Cleveland at all, it's just reality. Big market = big media, big exposure, bigger celebrity, much more money even if not in the actual contract, bigger legacy. Look at Derrick Jeter and Mark Messier. Heck - look at Kobe. Would he be anywhere near what he is if he actually signed with Charlotte?

The fact of the matter is that there are only a hand full of "significant" cities. Nothing against Ohio, but Cleveland isn't one of them.